Why Does NaHCO3 Help Dissolve Aspirin?

[josephcollins]

Hi ppl,
I was wondering could someone help me with this explanation. Why does the addition of Sodium Hydrogencarbonate help an aspirin to dissolve. In tablets of aspirin, acetylsalicylcic acid is mixed with sodium hydrogencarbonate and when the soluble aspirin tablet is dissolved in water the acetylsalicylcic acid and the sodium hydrogencarbonate react together.

Thanks a lot,
joe

 

[movies]

In aqueous solution the basic NaHCO3 can deprotonate the acidic acetylsalicylic acid. The resulting charged species (carboxylate anion) is very soluble in water.

Without the base then the acid would be protonated and therefore uncharged. The rest of the molecule is rather non-polar and thus not very soluble in polar solvents like water.

 

[chem_tr]

As Movies explained the issue well, I will only give the reaction scheme.

$$HSal + NaHCO_3 \longrightarrow Sal^- Na^+ + CO_2 + H_2O$$

Normally, H₂CO₃ is expected to be formed, but is very unstable to yield carbon dioxide and water for lower energy and higher unregularity (entropy) needs.

 

[quality68]

Hi ppl,
I was wondering could someone help me with this explanation. Why does the addition of Sodium Hydrogencarbonate help an aspirin to dissolve. In tablets of aspirin, acetylsalicylcic acid is mixed with sodium hydrogencarbonate and when the soluble aspirin tablet is dissolved in water the acetylsalicylcic acid and the sodium hydrogencarbonate react together.

Thanks a lot,
joe

It's very similar to that between benzoic acid and sodium hydrogencarbonate.

C6H5COOH + NaHCO3 -----> C6H5COONa + CO2 + H2O
NaHCO3

 

[LudusRex]

I can provide an explanation for why NaHCO3 helps dissolve aspirin. The addition of sodium hydrogencarbonate (NaHCO3) to aspirin tablets helps to increase the solubility of aspirin in water. This is because NaHCO3 is a basic compound, meaning it has a high pH, and aspirin is an acidic compound, meaning it has a low pH. When these two compounds are mixed together, they undergo a neutralization reaction, where the basic NaHCO3 reacts with the acidic aspirin to form a salt and water. This reaction produces a more water-soluble form of aspirin, making it easier for the tablet to dissolve in water. Additionally, the reaction also produces carbon dioxide gas, which helps to break up the tablet and further aid in its dissolution. Therefore, the addition of NaHCO3 to aspirin tablets helps to increase the solubility of aspirin in water, making it easier for the body to absorb and utilize the medication. I hope this explanation helps.